Air humidifier



March 21, 1961 E. M. AGUIRRE AIR HUMIDIFIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 United States Patent AIR HUMIDIFIER Everardo Machuca Aguirre, Juan de Dios Arias 161, Col. Asturias, Mexico City, Mexico Filed Aug. 4, 1958, Scr. No. 752,885

Claims priority, application Mexico Apr. 8, 1958 8 Claims. (Cl. 261-30) The present invention relates to gas treating apparatus and more particularly to an air humidifier. V

" An object of the invention is the provision of an air humidifier which is automatic in its operation and needs but infrequent attention of an operator.

Another object is the provision of such an air humidifier which is composed of a plurality of identical elements so that it can be adapted to various degrees of humidification required.

' Yet another object is the provision of such a humidifier which is simple and inexpensive, yet highly efiicient.

With these and other objects in view, the invention contemplates providing a plurality of superimposed tray elements, each having a bottom portion and a wall portion extending perpendicularly from the bottom portion, the bottom portions and wall portions of these superimposed tray elements defining a plurality of superimposed chambers. Water is supplied to the uppermost of the superimposed tray elements and the bottom portion of each tray element is equipped with an overflow which limits the height of water which is capable of being held in the tray element. The bottom portions of each tray element are formed with an opening for passage of air from one of the chambers to the adjacent one. The invention furthermore provides a control device for controlling the supply of water to the uppermost tray element according to the height of water held in the lowermost tray element. A blower is provided for forcing air intothe lowermost tray element from which its passes gradually upward through the various tray elements in contact with the. water flowing downward and finally escapes to the atmosphere in humidified condition from the uppermost chamber.

Other features of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative .example of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

ice

tray element differs from the others in that it does not require a downwardly extending Wall portion and that the rim of its bottom portion G is higher than that of the other .tray elements. The lowermost tray element is also equipped in one of its side walls with a substantially semicylindrical-well U communicating with the space enclosed within the tray, the function of which will be described below.

The lowermost tray element is also provided with a tranverse rectangular duct T passing passing through the space enclosed within the tray. An elongated opening X in" the bottom of the lowermost tray communicates with a vertical duct of equal cross section having its upper end above the top level of the aforementioned transverse duct and somewhat below the top edge of the lowermost tray element. As best seen in Fig. 2, the

- lowermost tray element is assembled with the air chamber C in such a manner that the rectangular slot in the top surface of the air chamber registers with the elongated opening X in the bottom of the lowermost tray and with the vertical duct extending upward therefrom which thus constitutes the inlet opening of the humidifier proper.

The tray elements other [than the lowermost one are formed in an identical manner each comprising a transverse bottom portion W from which a rim G extends peripherally upward Whereas a wall portion J extends downward from a location on bottom portion W which is inward from rim G. .The tray elements can thus be stacked in such a manner that wall portion J of a super-: imposed element stands on the bottom portion W of the subjacent element within the confines of rim G.

A chamber is thus enclosed between the bottom portion W and wall portion J of the superimposed tray element which forms the upper and side walls of the chamber, and the bottom portion W of the subjacent tray element which forms the bottom of the chamber.

As best seen from Fig. 3, each individual tray element is formed with an elongated slot N near one edge of the bottom portion W. The slot vN is surrounded by a raised edge lower than rim G. The uppermost tray element above which no chamber is formed may be made without a rim G and its elongated slot Z need not be equipped with. a raised edge although such an edge is illustrated i in the drawing and serves as a reinforcing means only; The example of an air humidifier of the invention 1 illustrated in the drawing is assembled of six stacked tray laterally therefrom so as to provide a point of support Fig. 2 shows a side elevational section through the S straddling an opening in an air chamber, C. The air chamber C is of flat rectangular shape and is provided with short legs. Air is drawn into the air chamber C by means of the fan A and is expelled therefrom through a narrow rectangular slot in the top surface which. communicates with the inlet opening of the humidifier proper.

The humidifieris made up from a plurality of individual tray elements each consisting of a rimmed bottom portion G and a wall portion J extending perpendicularly downward from the bottom portion G. The lowermost elements, but the number may be varied to suit prevail ing conditions and the results to be achieved.

A support bracket G is fastened to the bottom portion of the uppermost tray element and extends upward and perpendicularly aligned with the well U in the lowermost tray element. An airtight container F which in the embodiment illustrated is a glass bottle suspended with 'its neck downward from the support bracket G is equipped with a 2-hole stopper E through one of whose holes passes a straight length of tubing L having one orifice near the top of the space enclosed by bottle F and another orifice within the well U slightly below the top edge of the vertical duct communicating with opening, X in the lowermost tray element.

The other hole in stopper E holds a piece of capillary tubing 1 1 having one opening communicating with the lowermost portionof the space enclosed by bottle F, that is practically flush with the inner surface of stopper E, and another orifice communicating with the chamber formed below the uppermost tray element of the humidi fier.

Both tubes L and IQ in the embodiment of the invention illustrated are made of glass, tube L having an internal diameter of approximately /2 inch, the diameter of tube N being of the order of 2 mm.

There is further provided a heating element H of a size suitable for insertion into the transverse duct T-in the lowermost tray element as best seen in Fig. l. The heating element H comprises two sheets of heat resistant insulating material and resistance wires mounted on a ceramic carrier, the carrier being sandwiched between the two sheets of heat resistant insulating material before insertion into the transverse duct T.

The afore'described apparatus operates as follows:

The tray elements are assembled by superposition in such a manner that the elongated slots N are arranged parallel and horizontally offset with respect to each other in alternating positions so as to form a passage for air flowing through the humidifier which forces the air after rising upward into a chamber through one of the slots N to pass horizontally through practically the entire width of the chamber before passing upward into the next chamber through the elongated slot N in the next higher bottom portion W.

The tray elements other than the lowermost one are filled with water to the level of the rims surrounding the elongated slots N, any excess flowing downward into the subjacent tray element. The lowermost tray element is filled with water so as to cover the transverse duct T but below the level of the top edge of the vertical duct extending upward from opening X. The glass bottle E is taken from the support G. The stopper E with the glass tubes passing therethrough is removed and the bottle is filled with water while disposed with its open end upward. The stopper is then inserted, the free orifice of tube L is temporarily plugged, and the bottle is suspended from support bracket G. Tube L is inserted with its free end below the water in well U and is unplugged. Water will thereupon flow from both tubes L and Id until the va cuum formed above the water level will balance the hydrostatic pressure of the water column in tubes L and 1 1. As soon as this stage is reached, as illustrated in Fig. 2, no further water can flow through tube L because of the fact that the orifice of the tube within the bottle F is above the water level therein. No air can enter bottle F through tube L as long as the free orifice thereof is below the water level in well U. No water can flow out through capillary tube 1Q because of the vacuum in bottle F until the water level in the well U sinks below the level of the orifice tube L. Because of the small diameter of tube 1:1, water is held therein by capillarity and prevents any air from entering into the bottle F.

It is apparent that water will be supplied automatically from the glass bottle F to the uppermost tray element through glass tube l l as soon as air is permitted to enter bottle F through tube L when the water level in the lowermost tray element drops below the level of the orifice of tube L which is adjustable by sliding tube L the lowest tray element automatically maintains all other tray elements filled to the limit.

The heat of evaporation of the water consumed in moistcning the air passing through the humidifier of the invention is taken from the stream of air passing through the apparatus so that the -air emerging from opening Z of the humidifier is substantially cooler than that forced into the apparatus by fan A. This cooling effect may be desirable. If it is not, the water within the lowermost tray element may be heated by means ofelectric' resistance heater element H to a temperature high enough to adjust the temperature "of the discharged air in any desired manner.

axially upward or downward in stopper E. Water fl'owthrough the several tray elements countercurrent to the flow of the water from bottle F, picking up moisture on the way, until it finally emerges humidified from the slot Z in the uppermost tray element.

Since the air is in its driest state when entering the lowermost tray element, the consumption of water in the lowermost element is greater than in any of the other tray elements, and maintaining a constant water level in While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an air humidifier, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present inven tion.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic of specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An air humidifier, comprising in combination, a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion, an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers; water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means .for humidificationby contact with the Water held therein.

" 2. An air humidifier, comprising, in combination, a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed and resting upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion and a wall portiontextending from said bottom portion and having an edge engaging the adjacent tray element so thatv said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers; water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means for humidification by contact with the water held therein. V

3. An air humidifier, comprising in combination. a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion. an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said'chambers to the adjacent of said chambers, the overflow means of adjacent tray elements being staggered to each other; water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means for humidification by contact with the water held therein.

4. An air humidifier, comprising in combination, a plura'lity of tray elements detachably superimposed upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion, an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements being surrounded by the rim portion and resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers; water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means for humidification by contact with the water held therein.

5. An air humidifier, comprising in combination, a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed upon I each other, each tray element having a bottom portion, an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements being surrounded by the rim portion and resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers, the overflow means of adjacent tray elements being staggered to each other; capillary water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means for humidification by contact with the water held therein.

6. An air humidifier, comprising in combination, a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion, an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said super imposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers; water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means from the lowermost to the uppermost of said tray elements in counterflow to said water flow for humidification by contact with the water held therein.

7. An air humidifier, comprising in combination, a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion, an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers; water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and blower means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means from the lowermost to the uppermost of said tray elements in counterflow to said air flow for humidification by contact with the water held therein.

8. An air humidifier, comprising in combination, a plurality of tray elements detachably superimposed upon each other, each tray element having a bottom portion, an annular wall portion extending downwardly from said bottom portion and an annular rim portion extending upwards from said wall portion, the wall portion of each of said superimposed tray elements being surrounded by the rim portion and resting on the bottom portion of the respective tray element below the same, so that said bottom portions and said wall portions define a plurality of superimposed closed chambers; overflow means including an opening in each of said superimposed tray elements so that the respective tray element below the same is filled with water while permitting passage of air from each of said chambers to the adjacent of said chambers, the overflow means of adjacent tray elements be ing staggered to each other; capillary Water supply means for supplying water to the uppermost of said tray elements; control means sensitive to the height of the water held in the lowermost of said tray elements for controlling said water supply means; and blower means for circulating air through said superimposed chambers and said openings of said overflow means from the lowermost to the uppermost of said tray elements in counterflow to said water flow for humidification by contact with the water held therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 52,946 Chamberlin Feb. 27, 1866 188,535 I Parmenter Mar. 20, 1877 1,753,540 Veronneasu Apr. 8', 1930 2,078,203 Manning Apr. 20, 1937 2,202,235 Smith May 28, 1940 

